1878 S Morgan Error, Cleaned

[rexmerdinus]

This one turned up in my collection a few years ago, before I knew what to look for to pick out cleaned coins. It basically cost me nothing. The flat surfaces are pretty shiny, almost prooflike, which is why I was looking at it closely and found the unusual "B" in "Pluribus." Sent it off just for fun to see if NGC would certify the error. They acknowledged it on the slip, but that was back before they would encapsulate cleaned or damaged coins, so it came back in just a flip. Wondering if anyone thinks it's worth sending back for an NGC holder. Any thoughts on value? The NGC Label is "1878 S S$1, "B" IN PLURIBUS ERROR, IMPROPERLY CLEANED"

Morgan 006.JPG (218.13 KiB) Viewed 380 times

Morgan 007.JPG (211.12 KiB) Viewed 380 times

Morgan 009.jpg (164.56 KiB) Viewed 380 times

[Rob72830]

With almost 10 million minted, it is not rare and being cleaned, probably not worth much more than melt (in my opinion). Resubmitting will probably cost you more than its worth. I wouldn't send it in, just put it in my stash of silver in case of TSHTF and if you need the silver to barter with. Good luck.

[rexmerdinus]

Yeah, I checked the mintage numbers too. Any thoughts on the error? I know it's not spectacular, but I can't find anything about that particular one ever having been recorded.

Thought I might just toss it up on the Bay with a high reserve just to see what people bid it up to.

[Market Harmony]

It's actually not an "error" It is simply a die variation. Either VAM 9 (http://www.vamworld.com/1878-S+VAM-9) or VAM 21 (http://www.vamworld.com/1878-S+VAM-21)

There is extensive cataloging of the different combinations of obverse and reverse die pairings... each die used in the minting process will have ever so slight variations from the previous die used. Each year is different, so VAM 9 for 1878-S is not the same as VAM 9 for a 1880-O.

There are 3 major categories of VAMs.. TOP 100, HOT 50, HIT LIST 40 These are the most widely collected varieties of Morgan Dollars and will be noted on the holders of PCGS and NGC if you pay for the additional service. Some VAMs will bring multiples higher than that of their more common varieties. A recent "scarface" 1888-O was sold at auction for over $5000. It was graded MS61. It's more common counterpart in the same grade sells for $54.

Sorry, but what you have is not a widely collected variety in today's market. I'm not sure why NGC would have noted the coin as an "error" But, I can say that VAM coins are a relatively fresh market, even though the varieties were being discovered decades ago. It could be that the coin was sent to NGC before the industry got a better grasp on the market for these coins.

[rexmerdinus]

Thanks MH!
I didn't have a copy of any VAM book, and only did a quick google search for "B in Pluribus Error" as NGC put it. It was only a couple of years ago I sent it, but I didn't pay for variety attribution, so that may me why. I still have my 5 free yearly gradings to cash in with NGC, so I may just have them put it in a holder for me.

I'll bookmark that vamworld site!

JT